Union Learning Reps (ULRs) at Unison’s University of Bristol branch have been holding Lunch and Learn sessions to engage with staff and find out what sort of learning opportunities they are interested in taking up.

They have proved a great success, as ULR Sarah Tauwhare explains:

Our first Lunch and Learn idea came from the Unison Education Network Day in Taunton.  After that, I applied for Kickstart funding and ran the first one.”

This was all a new experience for the branch but all the team were keen, and felt it was a great way to meet members that they don’t often have contact with.

Sarah continued:

A small group signed up, and with some trepidation we met in our Staff Club area.  With our hot lunches we talked about our learning hopes and dreams, lead by a member who has taken an educational journey as a mature student, taking a degree, and various courses.  This set our discussion on track as to what members might want to do for themselves.  The message was that it doesn't need to be specifically job related, but could be broader.  This was a novel idea to members.”

We then all had a short taster session with an artist.  We tried out a variety of exercises, first drawing each others faces, then using two pens at the same time, one in each hand. The results were fascinating and surprising, some of the pieces were very Warhol.   We also tried to draw an object without taking the pen off the paper.  These exercises were to get our eyes used to looking at the object, and to use the hand to move as the eye sees.”

Sarah's colleagues really enjoyed this session, which was seen as quick, fun and uplifting to try, and everyone felt relaxed.  There was a very clear desire from all to do more of this type of creative activity.

Following this Sarah carried out a very brief survey of members to find out what they wanted and it was very clear members wanted to know more about the Union, how it functions and then how they could get involved.  She also arranged a second Lunch and Learn which was held on September 16th.

This event proved even more popular, with a staff book club being discussed, other learning ideas explored and ways to increase the visablity of the sessions within the branch raised.

Mark Everden, South West Unison new Regional Education Organiser came along to speak to the members to explain his role, some of the benefits of workplace learning and what he could do to support learning amoungst members at the University.

Members were keen to do more creative sessions, and combine learning with socialising, like the book club.  Mark also told talked about a popular Stress-busting session, something that staff are keen to try out soon as a priority, particularly as at the start the new academic year. 

Sarah is really pleased with how these sessions have been received and aims to keep responding to members suggestions, and set up sessions that are of interest to them to promote and encourage learning.

Sarah concluded:

It’s still early days, but there is definite interest from members to attend these types of sessions.  I have also invited members to come along on a weekly basis to eat lunch together and talk, get to know each other and find out what's going on in the Union in an informal way.”

As I have been able to study over the last few years, I have progressed in a range of areas, at work and in life, so I hope to share this idea with the members and help them find and take up opportunities they can benefit from.”